(19)

(11)

EP 0 909 383 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 21.04.1999 Bulletin 1999/16 (21) Application number: 97922476.0 (22) Date of filing: 28.04.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G01N 21/ 13( . ) G01N 21/ 25( . ) G01N 35/ 02( . ) G01N 35/ 04( . ) G01N 21/ 21( . ) G01N 21/ 53( . ) G01N 35/ 00( . ) G01N 35/ 10( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/006994 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/000701 (08.01.1998 Gazette 1998/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 03.07.1996 US 19960674780 (71) Applicant: Beckman Coulter, Inc. Fullerton, California 92834-3100 (US)	(72) Inventors: BARBER, Duane, G. Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (US) TU, Songtai Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (US) WATTS, Richard, P. Diamond Bar, CA 91789 (US) (74) Representative: Ede, Eric  Fitzpatricks, 4 West Regent Street Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland Glasgow G2 1RS, Scotland (GB)